Sodas have gotten a bad rap for quite some time, maligned for its high caloric content, consisting mostly of sugar and the inclusion of artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives. New York City once attempted to curb the consumption of soda, as have countries like Chile, which has even gone as far as regulating sugary foods similar to other products thought to harm public health, like cigarettes.

However, there is a path to redemption for the beverage, and it isn’t by becoming a pretender, i.e., flavored sparkling water, a drink that still can’t reach the depths and complexity of a well-crafted pop. You have to reinvent yourself, and if you can do that with assistance from a few talented beverage veterans, you have a fighting chance.